resolve Hear it!

resolve Definition

re·solve (ri zälv, -zôlv)

transitive verb -·solved, -·solv·ing

  1. to break up into separate, constituent elements or parts; analyze
  2. to change or transform: used reflexively a discussion that resolved itself into an argument
  3. to cause (a person) to decide the flood that resolved him to sell
  4. to reach as a decision or intention; determine to resolve to go
    1. to find the solution or an answer to (a problem); solve
    2. to make a decision about to resolve the points at issue
    3. to explain or make clear; show the resolution of (a problem, a fictional plot, etc.)
    4. to remove or dispel (doubt, etc.)
  5. to decide by vote; make a formal decision about; express by resolution, as an assembly does
  6. Obsolete to cause to dissolve or melt
  7. Chem. to separate (an optically inactive compound or mixture) into its optically active components
  8. Med. to cause (a swelling, fever, etc.) to subside or disappear
  9. Music to cause (a chord or tone) to undergo resolution
  10. Physics to make distinguishable the individual parts of (an image, radar echo, etc.)

Etymology: ME resolven < L resolvere: see re- & solve

intransitive verb

  1. to be resolved, as by analysis
  2. to come to a decision; make a resolution; determine
  3. Music to undergo resolution

noun

  1. fixed purpose or intention; firm determination
  2. a formal resolution, as of an assembly

  • re-solve

resolve Related Forms

re·solver noun

resolve Synonyms

resolve

v.

  1. To reach as a decision or intention

    determine, decide, settle, conclude, fix, purpose, propose, choose, fix upon, make up one's mind, take a firm stand, take one's stand, take a decisive step, make a point of, pass upon, decree, elect, remain firm, burn one's bridges*, take the bull by the horns*, put one's foot down*; see also decide.

  2. To find the solution to

    solve, clear up, work out; see solve. See syn. study at decide.

resolve Usage Examples

Object

  • dispute: The Small Claims Court can be used to resolve a dispute with a property management company.
  • conflict: We must work at resolving these conflicts or finding a way through.
  • complaint: The Financial Ombudsman Service helps consumers resolve complaints about most personal finance matters.
  • problem: We tried a number of ways to resolve the problems.
  • disagreement: We only accept political and diplomatic ways of resolving existing disagreements.
  • issue: Clearly, a lot of effort was going into trying to resolve these issues.

Converse of object

strengthen: Needs permanent injection of backbone but resists all lawyer's efforts to strengthen resolve.

Subject

negotiation: Many issues or concerns that our members have cannot be resolved by negotiation with employers.

Preposition: through

negotiation: The Palestine issue could be resolved only through negotiations, he added.

Modifies a noun

dispute: Otelo is an independent approved dispute resolution service and aims to help resolve disputes if they arise.

Modifying Another Word

  • satisfactorily: In the event of no employe response within the specified time limit, the grievance will be deemed to have been satisfactorily resolved.
  • informally: Complaints may be resolved informally at any stage of the proceedings.
  • spontaneously: Mrs X believed that her mother's symptoms would resolve spontaneously.

Noun used with modifier

-r: See the -R name resolve order parameter for details on changing this resolving mechanism.

Used with why or when

when: Titled as Station X. The main links are in code that resolves when a mouse rolls over them.

Infinitive complement

  • approve: Minutes of previous meeting: it was resolved to approve the minutes of the previous meeting 6th Feb 2001.
  • devote: Interpreting his father's death as divine providence, the young Salieri resolved to devote his life to glorying God through his music.

Preposition: in

favor: Cases that have arisen before the Equal Rights Committee have generally been resolved in favor of the students.

Preposition: by

negotiation: Many issues or concerns that our members have cannot be resolved by negotiation with employers.